Division should go to Thunder

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Denver Nuggets

Last Season
57-25 (third in West)

Additions
J.J. Hickson, Darrell Arthur, Randy Foye, Nate Robinson

Departures
Andre Iguodala, Corey Brewer, Kosta Koufos, Julyan Stone

Possible starting five
g - Ty Lawson
g - Evan Fournier
f - Danilo Gallinari
f - Kenneth Faried
c - JaVale McGee

The burning questions
1. How will Brian Shaw perform as head coach?
2. Will Danilo Gallinari's knee be an ongoing concern?
3. Can Ty Lawson elevate his game even further?
4. Who will step up and replace outgoing swingman Andre Iguodala?
5. Can Kenneth Faried become more of a weapon at the offensive end?

Prediction
The Nuggets might have lost experienced coach George Karl and veteran Andre Iguodala during the off-season, but don't expect them to drop off the pace too much.

They still have plenty of players that are capable of scoring and it is worth remembering they lost just three times at home last campaign during the regular season.

Providing new coach Brian Shaw is not overwhelmed in his first year in the job then expect the Nuggets to be in contention for the title in the West at the end of the season.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Last Season
31-51 (12th in West)

Additions
Kevin Martin, Corey Brewer, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng, Ronny Turiaf

Departures
Andrei Kirilenko, Luke Ridnour, Brandon Roy, Greg Stiemsma, Malcolm Lee, Mickael Gelabale

Possible starting five
g - Ricky Rubio
g - Kevin Martin
f - Chase Budinger
f - Kevin Love
c - Nikola Pekovic

The burning questions
1. Will Kevin Love stay healthy?
2. Is Ricky Rubio good enough to guide his side to the playoffs?
3. Can Nikola Pekovic elevate his game to the next level and be one of the dominant big men in the West?
4. Will Kevin Martin be the missing ingredient?
5. Can Gorgui Dieng make an impact as a rookie?

Prediction
The Timberwolves haven't featured in the post-season for nine years, but this could be the year that they finally break the drought.

Providing Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio stay relatively injury free and Kevin Martin fits in well, then the Timberwolves have enough firepower to reach the playoffs.

Don't expect them to be challenging the heavyweights in the West, but a seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs looks a reasonable goal for Rick Adelman's side.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Season
60-22 (first in West)

Additions
Steven Adams, Derek Fisher, Ryan Gomes, Andre Roberson

Departures
Kevin Martin, Ronnie Brewer, DeAndre Liggins

Possible starting five
g - Russell Westbrook
g - Thabo Sefolosha
f - Kevin Durant
f - Serge Ibaka
c - Kendrick Perkins

The burning questions
1. How will Russell Westbrook return from his knee injury?
2. Can Kevin Durant win another scoring title?
3. Is Kendrick Perkins still a reliable starter?
4. Can Derek Fisher still have an impact in the playoffs?
5. Will youngsters Jeremy Lamb and Steven Adams make a contribution?

Prediction
A team with Kevin Durant in it is always going to be hard to beat, but the Thunder will be hard pressed matching the 60 wins they registered last season.

Kevin Martin is gone and Kendrick Perkins is a year older, so they will need some new blood to step up and help out their stars.

They are almost assured of another good season, but an NBA title could be out of the Thunder's reach this season.

Portland Trail Blazers

Last Season
33-49 (11th in West)

Additions
C.J. McCollum, Robin Lopez, Dorell Wright, Mo Williams, Thomas Robinson, Allen Crabbe, Earl Watson

Departures
J.J. Hickson, Eric Maynor, Jared Jeffries, Luke Babbitt, Nolan Smith

Possible starting five
g - Damian Lillard
g - Wesley Matthews
f - Nicolas Batum
f - LaMarcus Aldridge
c - Robin Lopez

The burning questions
1. Will Damian Lillard continue to improve?
2. Can LaMarcus Aldridge stay happy and provide the strong leadership needed?
3. Can Wesley Matthews take the next step and take his game to the next level?
4. Is Mo Williams capable of finding his old form?
5. Can C.J. McCollum be a contributor in his rookie year?

Prediction
The Blazers have been a big disappointment of late, but could easily return to the post-season if they can stay injury free.

Their starting five is still good enough to get the job done and they have added a few new players - like Mo Williams and Dorell Wright - that can make a solid contribution off the bench.

They will need everything to go right for them and they will need to win the majority of their home games, but an improved season can be expected for the Trail Blazers this campaign.

Utah Jazz

Last Season
43-39 (ninth in West)

Additions
Trey Burke, Richard Jefferson, Andris Biedrins, Brandon Rush, John Lucas III, Rudy Gobert, Jerel McNeal, Ian Clark

Departures
Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Mo Williams, Randy Foye, Jamaal Tinsley, Kevin Murphy, Earl Watson, DeMarre Carroll

Possible starting five
g - Trey Burke
g - Gordon Hayward
f - Alec Burks
f - Derrick Favors
c - Enes Kanter

The burning questions
1. Will the Jazz regret letting go of so many experienced players during the off-season?
2. Can Trey Burke step up immediately and run the offence on this team?
3. Is Derrick Favors capable of being the best player in the line-up?
4. Can veterans Richard Jefferson and Andris Biedrins contribute off the bench?
5. Is Alec Burks good enough to be a starter in this young team?

Prediction
This season looks like a transition one for the Jazz, as their new brigade attempts to take over from a long list of outgoing veterans.

Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Mo Williams will be sorely missed, but the next batch of youngsters look to have plenty of talent and a good future looks to be in store.

However they may take a season or two to gel together, so expect the Jazz to struggle somewhat as they take time to find what combinations work best for them.

Predicted division standings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Denver Nuggets
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Portland Trail Blazers
5. Utah Jazz

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